(Hospital Room. A nurse enters the room with several bouquets of flowers).
Billy:
Those flowers are a really nice gesture, Miss Chamberlain, but I think there’s a little more involved here.
Vanessa:
Fine. We’ll talk about it later.
Nurse: (Fixing Mindy’s pillow)
Here we go.
Mindy: (In “pain”)
Oh. Oh.
Billy:
Can’t you give my little girl something for her pain?
Nurse:
There’s nothing indicated on her chart for pain. I checked it when Ms. Lewis asked before.
(She leaves).
Mindy:
I can’t even get a glass of water around here. They wait on that other girl in there hand and foot.
Vanessa:
Well, dear, perhaps that’s because her condition is serious.
Billy:
Don’t you worry about that, darling. That’s all going to change real quick. And Ms. Chamberlain’s going to do everything she can help, too. Especially since it’s her horse that started this whole thing in the first place.
Mindy:
So, what else did you bring for me, Ms. Chamberlain?
Vanessa:
Oh, some books. (Handing a package to Billy). Nancy Drew. I knew you’d love them.
(Billy hands them to Mindy).
Mindy: (Sarcastic)
Oh, wonderful. And when I’m finished reading these, maybe you could bring me some of the Bobsey Twins.
(She throws the package back at Billy).
Billy:
You’ll have to excuse Mindy. She’s a little out of sorts, after all that she’s been through.
Vanessa: (Sarcastic)
Oh yes, I can see it’s been just terrible for her.
Mindy:
Oh!
Billy:
Well, where does it hurt, darling?
Mindy:
All over my right side. I must have cracked something. Probably some ribs.
Vanessa:
I just don’t understand how all of this happened. After all, the horse is always locked up tightly. You have to do that with a spirited animal.
Billy:
An animal like that shouldn’t be kept near people. He should be put down.
Vanessa:
I absolutely agree. Unfortunately, I can’t find him, otherwise I might consider doing that.
Mindy: (Sitting straight up in bed)
No! (Realizing she should be in pain and leaning back). I couldn’t stand to have that happen to Boss ‘cause of me.
Vanessa:
Oh well, dear, I just don’t know what else to do.
Mindy:
Well, I’d still love to have him.
Billy: (Chuckling)
Don’t be ridiculous, darling.
Mindy: (Grabbing Billy’s hand)
Oh please Daddy! I’d always have Phillip to train him, and keep him for me. And I promise I wouldn’t try riding him again unless Phillip was with me.
Vanessa:
Well, you know, I can understand Mindy’s point of view. He really is a magnificent animal.
Billy:
An animal that tried to maim a poor, innocent, little girl couldn’t possibly be worth much. I might consider buying him, but real cheap, mind you. (Mindy is glowing). Just so I’d know where the damned beast was.
Vanessa:
I just don’t understand how that stall door got unlocked.
Billy:
Well, you have to be real careful when you’re trying to control a dangerous animal.
Vanessa:
Yes, I know. Ah, Mindy dear, I don’t want to interrupt any longer. You visit with your father, and I hope you have a speedy recovery.
Billy:
Ms. Chamberlain. (Sitting down on the bed). I’ll be talking to you real soon about that horse.
Vanessa:
Yes, I hope I can find him. It’d be a real pity to lose such a valuable animal.
(She leaves. Mindy gives Billy a huge hug).
Mindy:
Oh, Daddy! Are you really going to buy Boss for me?
Billy:
Wait a minute, young lady! What about that pain in your right side?
Mindy: (Putting on the charm)
Well, it hurts, but how can I not hug the best daddy in the world?
(Later, Justin Marler is examining Beth in her hospital room. The back of her neck and the side of her face are badly bruised. He’s listening to her back with a stethoscope. The curtain separating Beth’s bed from Mindy’s is closed.)
Justin:
Well, Beth, I can say that you are definitely going to make it. There were some irregularities on your EKG when you were brought in last night, but the tests this morning show that everything is clear.
Beth:
I was so scared last night.
Justin:
Well, anyone who had an accident like you had…of course their heart would skip a beat. Tell me, how did you happen to fall down that flight of stairs?
(As if on cue, Bradley enters from the other side of the curtain carrying a bouquet of flowers for Beth. Lillian is with him).
Bradley:
The doctor doesn’t know what a daydreamer you are, does he, kiddo?
Justin:
Hello Lillian.
Lillian:
You don’t know my husband, do you? Bradley, this is Dr. Marler.
Justin: (Shaking Bradley’s hand)
How do you do?
Bradley:
Pleased to meet you doctor.
Justin:
Ah, Lillian, were you with Beth when she fell?
Lillian:
No. As a matter of fact, I was doing extra work in Emergency Care when they brought her in. (To Beth). How are you feeling honey?
Beth:
I’m fine, Mama. A lot better.
(Lillian kisses her on the forehead).
Justin:
Well, she has a slight concussion, bruised collarbone, numerous contusions…she’s going to be sore for awhile. We’ll keep her in the hospital a few days, but she should be up and raring to go in no time at all.
Lillian:
Oh, I’m so glad. I was so worried she was going to have a skull fracture, or internal injuries, or who knows what.
Justin:
Oh no. Nothing like that indicated. Beth was very lucky.
Bradley: (Sitting down on Beth’s bed)
You’re going to have to stop trying to read and going down those stairs at the same time, kiddo.
Beth:
I know, Bradley.
Bradley:
Well, don’t you worry. Everything’s going to be okay.
Justin:
Well, I’ll leave you alone. If you need anything, just give a holler.
Lillian:
Thanks a lot, doctor.
(Justin pulls back the curtain and starts to exit, passing Mindy’s bed, where Billy is visiting).
Billy:
Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Aren’t you going to look after my little girl?
Justin:
I’m sorry, I’m not assigned to her case.
(He exits; Billy follows him into the hallway).
Billy:
Whoa, whoa, hold your horses just a second. Nobody’s doing anything about my daughter, and I want to know why.
Justin:
Everything that is necessary is being done for your daughter, Mr. Lewis.
Billy:
How do you know that if you’re not on her case? And how did you know my name?
Justin:
‘Cause I just looked at her chart for Dr. Nelson.
Billy:
Well, who’s Dr. Nelson, and where the hell is he?
Justin:
Dr. Nelson is the doctor who admitted your daughter into the hospital last night. Unfortunately, he’s not on duty yet.
Billy:
Oh, come on, he’s just a kid.
Justin:
I’m sure you’ll find him very capable.
Billy:
Well, I want somebody more capable. I’ll call up my sister Trish and I’m going to find out who her doctor is.
Justin:
Trish Lewis?
Billy:
Yeah, you know her?
Justin:
Yes. And Josh.
Billy: (Shrugs his shoulders)
Well, I’m their big brother Billy.
Justin:
Well, it’s a pleasure meeting you. I’m sure if you call your sister, she’ll tell you what a very capable doctor Kelly is.
(He starts to walk away and Billy stops him again).
Billy:
Wait a minute, doctor. Say…Look, could you just tell me right now what exactly Mindy’s injuries are?
Justin:
Other than a bruise on her forehead, there are none.
Billy:
Are you sure?
Justin:
I’m positive. We did a whole series of x-rays. There are no injuries indicated. We’re holding her here in the hospital on the slight chance she may be suffering from a concussion, but that seems to be very remote at this time.
Billy:
Well, what about this pain in her right side she’s been complaining about?
Justin:
I can find no physical reason to explain that. Now, do you have any more questions, Mr. Lewis?
Billy:
No, no, thank you doctor. You told me everything I need to know.
Justin:
Well, then if you’ll excuse me.
(Justin leaves. Billy glares back into Mindy’s room).
(The Spaulding Mansion. Phillip and Hope enter the living room).
Phillip:
I didn’t come by here too early, did I?
Hope:
No, no. I’ve been up for awhile. I’m just having a little trouble getting started today.
(They sit down on the sofa).
Phillip:
How are you feeling?
Hope:
You mean after last night?
Phillip:
Yeah, you were a little under the weather.
Hope:
Under the table is more like it. You know, thank you very much for bringing me home last night and being so nice to me. I really appreciate it.
Phillip:
Sure. Was Dad angry that I did?
Hope:
Not with you.
Phillip:
I think you have to understand. He’s under a lot of pressure at the office right now, you know.
Hope:
Phillip, did I talk to you about your father and me last night?
Phillip:
Well, you know, I really couldn’t understand much of what you were saying.
Hope:
Was I that incoherent?
Phillip:
Well, maybe a few things.
Hope: (Standing up)
Then you know that your father and I are going through some problems right now.
Phillip:
Is it because of me?
Hope:
You?
Phillip: (Standing up too)
Well, yeah. I got back from prep school and you guys were great. Now all of a sudden it seems that, uh…
Hope:
No, I used to worry about that. I used to worry that you’d get in between your father and me.
Phillip:
I hope I haven’t.
Hope:
Phillip, I don’t know what has, but I know it’s not you.
Phillip: (Pause)
Are you going to be okay?
Hope:
Things will work out.
Phillip:
Why don’t you let me talk to Dad about it.
Hope:
No! No, please, I don’t want you to, all right? I mean, I don’t want him to think that I’m interfering with your relationship with him at all.
Phillip:
Don’t worry about that, okay. I used to think that. I really did. I used to think you were trying to get in between us, but I know that that’s not true now. Let me talk to him. Let me see what I can do, okay? I won’t even tell him I came by today.
Hope:
Phillip, I really appreciate you wanting to try, but I think you’re wasting your time. Your father does not want to discuss his marriage. With anyone.
